Test gear that is indespensible?

Its hard to believe, but its a symbiosis.  Humans and equipment bond together, so it becomes an extension of you; its a very sensitive relationship so its like you know when your car is not right, but the mechanic can't find the problem.  With familiar test equipment, you know what it delivers, how it responds, so you trust its readings and when its off, its more likely the DUT than the test gear being off.  Its very likely why old timers still long for the days of HP as a test equipment manufacturer, and prefer specific HP gear in their own shops rather than upgrade to newer models.

So what gear specifically?  The only item that has survived decades of use has been my Fluke 85 series 1 DMM.  I still use it today, nothing has killed it.  Over the decades my Hitachi analog scope, PSU, various PCs, tons of software and most accessories have died, become obsolete and have been replaced.

Times have changed, haven't listened to radio in over 10 years, except in a car for traffic and weather.  I get it through my PC on my bench as its 100% advertising free.

An Ohm Meter and a Leatherman (obviously not test gear ... but invaluable).